weary travelers could rest and get their
bearings in the Immigration Annex. They
refueled with food from the canteen,
exchanged foreign money for Canadian
currency, and purchased train tickets.
When they were ready to continue their
journeys, they boarded trains bound for
destinations across Canada.
At the time, people made travel plans
without the help of computers. Just
imagine taking a trip overseas without
hopping online to look at a map, find
hotels, or even check the weather
before leaving. You’d probably have lots
of questions when you reached your
destination. So did the people arriving
at Pier 21. Fortunately, volunteers were
available around the clock to offer
assistance. They answered questions,
gave directions, located lost luggage,
and provided translation services. Even
years later, people remembered biting
into juicy oranges or opening “ditty bags”
(care packages filled with toiletries, treats,
and toys) handed out by thoughtful
volunteers. Some of the volunteers were
immigrants themselves, so they knew
firsthand how reassuring it was to see a
friendly face in a strange place.
Immigration slowed during the
Great Depression and World War II.An advertisement from the twentieth century
encouraged men to bring their families to Canada.Interpreters at the Gross Île and the Irish Memorial
National Historic Site of Canada help visitors
understand the experiences of Canada’s immigrants.